Route 84 House Fire: Three Miles from Train Tracks, Nine From a Hydrant

by Jessie Salsbury

**To perform or request please press Inquire About Rights** (10 Minute Play) A State Fire Marshal interviews a Young Girl who is the only survivor of a farmhouse fire that has presumably killed the rest of her family. However, there are no bodies, little clues, and misleading evidence. The State Fire Marshal works to unwind the Young Girl's haunting and poetic past narratives of her entire life on the farm...

**To perform or request please press Inquire About Rights** (10 Minute Play) A State Fire Marshal interviews a Young Girl who is the only survivor of a farmhouse fire that has presumably killed the rest of her family. However, there are no bodies, little clues, and misleading evidence. The State Fire Marshal works to unwind the Young Girl's haunting and poetic past narratives of her entire life on the farm, while drawing her into the present to solve the origin of the house fire on Route 84.

(Acceptable alternative short title: Route 84 House Fire)

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Route 84 House Fire: Three Miles from Train Tracks, Nine From a Hydrant

Recommended by

  • John Bavoso: Route 84 House Fire: Three Miles from Train Tracks, Nine From a Hydrant

    An eerie piece that builds in mystery and dread, Route 84 is a masterclass in distillation and economy of language. Salsbury wastes no time getting us into the story, and she trusts her audience to get on board or be left behind. Easy to produce and perfect for this time of year, this play would be a chilling addition to any horror play festival!

    An eerie piece that builds in mystery and dread, Route 84 is a masterclass in distillation and economy of language. Salsbury wastes no time getting us into the story, and she trusts her audience to get on board or be left behind. Easy to produce and perfect for this time of year, this play would be a chilling addition to any horror play festival!

  • Lainie Vansant: Route 84 House Fire: Three Miles from Train Tracks, Nine From a Hydrant

    Salsbury's haunting tale calls its audience out on its complacency and gives its young heroine incredible agency. It is poetry meeting reality, waiting for a final compromise.

    Salsbury's haunting tale calls its audience out on its complacency and gives its young heroine incredible agency. It is poetry meeting reality, waiting for a final compromise.

  • Rachael Carnes: Route 84 House Fire: Three Miles from Train Tracks, Nine From a Hydrant

    Salsbury's work in this play is so taut, so economizing. One thing I notice throughout her plays, is this incredibly well-developed sense of place. We are right there, though we might not want to be. This is the kind of play that cages the audience. Brings you in close, and holds you tight. Now that I'm done reading, I might start breathing again.

    Salsbury's work in this play is so taut, so economizing. One thing I notice throughout her plays, is this incredibly well-developed sense of place. We are right there, though we might not want to be. This is the kind of play that cages the audience. Brings you in close, and holds you tight. Now that I'm done reading, I might start breathing again.

View all 16 recommendations

Character Information

CHARACTERS (2)
TEENAGE GIRL (Caucasian/White) - reads somewhere between 15-20
STATE FIRE MARSHAL (FEMALE) (Caucasian/White) - reads somewhere between 40-50
  • Teenage Girl
    Character Age
    15-25
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis Female or Gender Queer or Trans
  • State Fire Marshal
    Character Age
    40-60
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis Female or Gender Queer or Trans

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Midwest Dramatist Center Conference, Year 2017

Production History

  • Type Community Theater, Organization Kansas City Horror Play Festival - SqueezeBox Theatre and Erica Baker Production (Under Short title 'Route 84 House Fire'), Year 2018
  • Type University, Organization Bates College, Lewiston, ME, Year 2018
  • Type Community Theater, Organization Barn Players 6x10 (under short title 'Route 84 House Fire'), Year 2017
  • Type Community Theater, Organization Out Loud! Highlights from the Midwest Dramatists Conference - Phoenix KC Theatre as part of J.O.B.’s educational program, Year 2017

Awards

  • WildClaw Theatre Deathscribe 11 (Radio Play version)
    WildClaw Theatre
    Semi-Finalist
    2018